fresno elections 2008

We need to create positions that will entice and attract these valuable assets back to Kings County. These need to have manufacturing, technical, and medical facilities that are state-of-the-art. .Once these people come back and see what we now have and the way of life the will want to stay. This will increase the type of educated students that have returned to our way of life.

I have already started speaking to students in the classrooms and I am committed to spending significant amounts of time talking to graduating high school students about the need for them here at home. I understand what it is to leave and come back. I believe we have some of the best and brightest in this county. There is the need for their leadership right here at home. With that, we must provide the right kinds of economic development for them in terms of jobs, housing, and school systems. At the end of the day, I believe many people enjoy living in Kings County.

By making it easier for existing employers to expand and becoming friendlier for startup small business we can grow the availability and diversity of jobs in our county. Partnering local educational institutions such as West Hills College and College of the Sequoias with local employers helps match graduate skill sets with the needs of business. This Hybrid approach means graduates meet the needs of local employers making them ready to work locally upon graduation. In addition we need to begin looking at “Smart Growth” strategies which will result in more attractive, pedestrian friendly, and urbanized mixed use development rather than the prevailing sprawl pattern. Livable neighborhoods as found in cities like San Luis Obispo and Davis coupled with our lower cost of housing and central location may prove an irresistible option for young professionals.

U. C. Merced will go a long way toward helping with this problem. Our kids can go to a top institution within driving distance of the home.